Freedom Cabin 2218 Warning

[neatokimmo]

I wanted to post a quick review to warn others about the cabin I was assigned on our cruise.

 

If you get 2218 on the Freedom, I just want to prepare you for the issues we had.

 

But first things first, I could care less if "you always pick exactly the room you want because you don't want surprises". I've always gone guarantee and had zero issues my first 4 cruises. So I guess I have an 80% success rate. So if your fingers are just itching to type that, please don't ;)

 

This cabin is located below the back stage area of the theatre. The music was not the issue (which was very faint) it was the running back and forth of the performers to change clothes. For being such little things, those dancers can really gallop back and forth. They will be practicing every afternoon for several hours. If you have a small child that needs to nap in the afternoon then you are screwed. Oh ya, it also goes on several hours on nights they have shows.

 

Another issue we had was the loud cannon booming sound every 15 minutes all night long. Many times these booms made items shake which would just add to the noise. I don't think this noise was just for our cabin, I could hear it in the hallways. When I questioned our steward, he confirmed that noise happened a lot. I think he said it was the ocean (language barrier there), but you'd think they'd dampen the sound some way in the design.

 

And once last noise issue, when you pull into port hang on. Our cabin shook so hard it made my teeth rattle.

 

I was really surprised by all of these issues. I did contact the pursers desk who sent security twice. The first time (dancers) they sent dipped strawberries (that were nasty mush underneath yikes), art auction champagne and a funship freddy for the baby. I appreciate the offer and I appreciate that they sent anything at all. But what really irritated me, was the letter. That they would move us if a cabin opened up.

 

Now this sailing was sold out a couple of weeks before we sailed. I knew there weren't any cabins. But I called anyway. I called often- shoot I called every afternoon while the dancers galloped across the ceiling and woke up the baby. Finally one girl admitted there wouldn't be any cabins opening up (then don't put that in the letter sunshine).

 

They also sent a bottle of wine to dinner one night. Nice gesture once again but that fact I was totting around a sleep deprived 22 month old wouldn't be fixed with a $7 bottle of wine.

 

So anyway, if you are childless with late dining and spend the afternoons out on deck you'll be fine. If you have kids that require sleep then I'm sorry and I hope you have better results that we did.

 

(and the food was fine (not great but not gross), the shows were great, the ship was pretty and still had that new ship smell and the staff were very nice - but I'll be canceling my future Carnival cruises until I can get over my frustration with the whole situation)

 

I'll be happy to answer any specific questions about the ship/itinerary.

[dst]

Sorry to hear that you had such a long sleepless week :( I know you said you have gone with the gty cabins before but this is exactly why in all of my cruises I have been very leery to do so.

 

Other than the cabin noise, how did you like the ship? What dining room were you in, how was the pool area, and the shops on the ship? Did you do the 6 day or the 8 day......

 

Can you tell we are sailing on the Freedom next month :)

[vacruizer]

I don't mean this as a flame -just my opinion. :)

 

I really am sorry your guarantee luck ran out and you got a bad room. I've been lucky so far but know I could also get stuck with one of those noisy rooms sometime. There's ALWAYS that chance, as you well know. Someone ends up with those rooms on each cruise.

 

I do think the ship did seem to make an effort to make things right as best they can - you got wine, champagne, strawberries, and a toy for the baby? As for the letter, if they sent that early in the cruise there may have been a possibility at that point a room would open up if someone had an emergency and had to fly home or used the vacation guarantee. So I really don't think they purposely mislead you.

 

Hope your next room is in a much quieter spot. :)

[cuyahoga11]

I totally understand your frustation but someone will end up in that cabin every cruise if they book a gty so warning against it will do no good, as no one in their right mind would pick that location if they were were not doing a gty.

[neatokimmo]

I liked the design of the ship, the layout and decorations. After the Legend (which is my favorite so far) I'd say in "prettiness" this ranks second. Squeaky clean, but that has been my experience with all the ships. Everything for sale was exactly the same stuff that is for sale on all the other ships. They had a split layout, nice stuff on one side, liquor/t's on the other.

 

The pool area was well kept too. I did not like the big screen, it was loud and so "there" if you know what I mean. During sea days I felt it was in competition with all the other activities.

 

We were in the Chic dining room. I thought my best meal of the week was the blackened tilapia. My Dad's best meal was the prime rib, he enjoys his beef rare and they cut the perfect piece for him. Christina was our head server, she was very nice!

 

We did the 8 day. We went to Megan's Bay (wouldn't recommend at all, go to Sapphire), Long Bay in Antigua (this was a fluke, the driver recommended it after saying Runaway was jammed packed..it was a 40 minute ride to the other side through fields and small towns..that was cool and the beach was great) and the last place was Crown something (I think, I'll have to check) it was also nice.

 

 

Sorry to hear that you had such a long sleepless week :( I know you said you have gone with the gty cabins before but this is exactly why in all of my cruises I have been very leery to do so.

 

Other than the cabin noise, how did you like the ship? What dining room were you in, how was the pool area, and the shops on the ship? Did you do the 6 day or the 8 day......

 

Can you tell we are sailing on the Freedom next month :)

[neatokimmo]

Just to clarify, I'm the sort to want a polite purser desk employee and a sincere attitude without cover ups (got a lot of weird excuses that week) than junk sent to the cabin that wasn't wanted. I didn't want to get into all of that on my post earlier.

 

For a flame that was pretty nice! I'm expecting much worse as more people read my post! lol

 

 

I don't mean this as a flame -just my opinion. :)

 

I really am sorry your guarantee luck ran out and you got a bad room. I've been lucky so far but know I could also get stuck with one of those noisy rooms sometime. There's ALWAYS that chance, as you well know. Someone ends up with those rooms on each cruise.

 

I do think the ship did seem to make an effort to make things right as best they can - you got wine, champagne, strawberries, and a toy for the baby? As for the letter, if they sent that early in the cruise there may have been a possibility at that point a room would open up if someone had an emergency and had to fly home or used the vacation guarantee. So I really don't think they purposely mislead you.

 

Hope your next room is in a much quieter spot. :)

[neatokimmo]

I totally understand your frustation but someone will end up in that cabin every cruise if they book a gty so warning against it will do no good, as no one in their right mind would pick that location if they were were not doing a gty.

 

Amen!

 

So all you newbies out there, don't accidentally pick this cabin or really the ones around it. The other people in our group had a main aft cabin and they were ok. I've stayed in order, main mid, main mid, way high (like 7/8?) mid, main aft and now main forward. So don't be scared of the main deck, just the forward part.

[southernmomga]

We were in 2218 on the Costa Fortuna last year and it was the same thing. The Fortuna is the same design as the Triumph and maybe the Freedom also? That cabin was so loud, I remember the booming noises, the theatre noise, and how loud it was when we went to port. We also have small kids, they slept okay but for me it was hard. Last month we were on the Triumph in cabin 2234, it was a little better but still loud.

[neatokimmo]

That is excellent info to know, thanks!

 

We were in 2218 on the Costa Fortuna last year and it was the same thing. The Fortuna is the same design as the Triumph and maybe the Freedom also? That cabin was so loud, I remember the booming noises, the theatre noise, and how loud it was when we went to port. We also have small kids, they slept okay but for me it was hard. Last month we were on the Triumph in cabin 2234, it was a little better but still loud.

[DGP1111]

I wanted to post a quick review to warn others about the cabin I was assigned on our cruise.

 

If you get 2218 on the Freedom, I just want to prepare you for the issues we had.

 

 

This cabin is located below the back stage area of the theatre. . .

They will be practicing every afternoon for several hours. . .

 

neatokimmo: I'm so sorry to read that there were some unfortunate issues with your cruise while staying in on of those forward rooms on Main deck. I've done 2216 (right across the hall) numerous times on Conquest class ships, and I totally know what you mean by those wave 'slaps' that shake the forward rooms. Can be annoying and frightening, I know, but it's due to that curve of the bow creating a angled surface to take a direct hit in rougher seas.

 

The other situation of the noise heard from the dancers is a case of really unfortunate timing for you. There is no way you could have been aware that a new cast of performers would have just arrived (their very first shows were on the 11/30 sailing) and would still be in daily rehearsals to learn the two additional shows they'd need to know for their contracted months. For that 11/30 sailing, they were rehearsing at bizarre times, including the wee morning hours. That learning curve will soon be over, so the passengers on those cabins won't have the same unfortunate experience you did, or as often as you did. There is an entertainment elevator in that area between 2218 and 2219, and the dancers use it when leaving or entering the theatre from the audience doors (i.e. the parade from the Mardi Gras show "The Big Easy"). So some of that running you heard might not have been totally from above you, but literally right outside your cabin.

 

I'm glad to read that the purser office did try to do something for you, since I found that particular group of crew member to be quite foolish during my recent sailing.

[tiffytutu99]

i think you had every right to be upset. if you paid for a hotel room at a resort and it was loud and noisy it would be unacceptable. if i understand correctly... when you book guarantee, you book a cabin at the lowest cabin rate and you might get bumped up if a higher category is available. that doesn't mean there is a slight possibility of also getting stuck in a complete dump as well... okay... maybe that is a little bit of an exaggeration! but you get the drift. you still paid your fee and your cabin shouldn't be any less enjoyable than anyone else's b/c you booked guarantee. :)

[neatokimmo]

Don, thanks so much for the information, that explains a lot!

 

neatokimmo: I'm so sorry to read that there were some unfortunate issues with your cruise while staying in on of those forward rooms on Main deck. I've done 2216 (right across the hall) numerous times on Conquest class ships, and I totally know what you mean by those wave 'slaps' that shake the forward rooms. Can be annoying and frightening, I know, but it's due to that curve of the bow creating a angled surface to take a direct hit in rougher seas.

 

The other situation of the noise heard from the dancers is a case of really unfortunate timing for you. There is no way you could have been aware that a new cast of performers would have just arrived (their very first shows were on the 11/30 sailing) and would still be in daily rehearsals to learn the two additional shows they'd need to know for their contracted months. For that 11/30 sailing, they were rehearsing at bizarre times, including the wee morning hours. That learning curve will soon be over, so the passengers on those cabins won't have the same unfortunate experience you did, or as often as you did. There is an entertainment elevator in that area between 2218 and 2219, and the dancers use it when leaving or entering the theatre from the audience doors (i.e. the parade from the Mardi Gras show "The Big Easy"). So some of that running you heard might not have been totally from above you, but literally right outside your cabin.

 

I'm glad to read that the purser office did try to do something for you, since I found that particular group of crew member to be quite foolish during my recent sailing.

[kujobie]

I always pick exactly the room I want because I don't want surprises.. :)

[neatokimmo]

thank you!

 

 

i think you had every right to be upset. if you paid for a hotel room at a resort and it was loud and noisy it would be unacceptable. if i understand correctly... when you book guarantee, you book a cabin at the lowest cabin rate and you might get bumped up if a higher category is available. that doesn't mean there is a slight possibility of also getting stuck in a complete dump as well... okay... maybe that is a little bit of an exaggeration! but you get the drift. you still paid your fee and your cabin shouldn't be any less enjoyable than anyone else's b/c you booked guarantee. :)

[Mikel1733]

Neatokimmo I'm sorry you had the trouble with your room. Its too bad the ship personal couldn't have been as informative as Don as to the reason for the problem. Every ship has problem rooms.......its too bad the rooms couldn't be priced accordingly or at least guests given a heads up on the problems. We had a room with similiar problems on the Pride. We also sailed that ship with a GTY so we got what we deserved I guess. Thanks for your warning on the room.

Edited December 20, 2008 by Mikel1733

[neatokimmo]

Ha - you had to type it eh? Couldn't stand it, fingers were poised over the keyboard..maybe thought for a split second this isn't a bit helpful but you did it anyway :rolleyes:

 

I always pick exactly the room I want because I don't want surprises.. :)

[Vanessa L]

i think you had every right to be upset. if you paid for a hotel room at a resort and it was loud and noisy it would be unacceptable. if i understand correctly... when you book guarantee, you book a cabin at the lowest cabin rate and you might get bumped up if a higher category is available. that doesn't mean there is a slight possibility of also getting stuck in a complete dump as well... okay... maybe that is a little bit of an exaggeration! but you get the drift. you still paid your fee and your cabin shouldn't be any less enjoyable than anyone else's b/c you booked guarantee. :)

 

Well, in theory the guarantee rates are typically lower than the assigned rates (I know there are exceptions, that is not an all or nothing statement) so the OP probably paid less than someone with an assigned room.

 

To the OP, I am sorry your luck ran out. Booking guarantees, you knew it had to eventually, I guess. Well, if there is light at the end of the tunnel, I guess you now know why those of us who choose to pick rooms do so. So there is NEVER a chance that we will end up with the God awful experience you did. I know some folks who book guarantees to save money and continue to do so even with experiences like you had. To each his own. But your information will be very valuable to a newbie who doesn't know to book a room midship with cabins above and below them for the quietest experience, or who don't understand that booking a guarantee has the potential to give them the cruise you described every time they book. So thank you for sharing that info.

[tisucka]

any ideas how room 6201 is on the freedom? It seems like victoriana lounge (for shows) is right below the cabin, or am I mistaken?

 

You think it would be loud there?

[kujobie]

Ha - you had to type it eh? Couldn't stand it, fingers were poised over the keyboard..maybe thought for a split second this isn't a bit helpful but you did it anyway :rolleyes:

 

Sorry, couldn't help myself.. I just cut and pasted from your thread and changed the "you" to "I" I didn't have to type much ;)

Edited December 20, 2008 by kujobie

[PaulMedik]

...........I've always gone guarantee and had zero issues my first 4 cruises. So I guess I have an 80% success rate. ..........

 

 

neatokimmo,

 

Congrats on your 80% success rate! :p

[vacruizer]

Just to clarify, I'm the sort to want a polite purser desk employee and a sincere attitude without cover ups (got a lot of weird excuses that week) than junk sent to the cabin that wasn't wanted. I didn't want to get into all of that on my post earlier.

 

For a flame that was pretty nice! I'm expecting much worse as more people read my post! lol

 

Thanks, I guess. :p I'm really not one of those nasty people on the boards here! :) I didn't catch from your first post that the pursers weren't polite - that's completely not acceptable. Seems like there was a thread here a while back that was title something like "Carnival cabins to avoid." Maybe you could also add your experience there to warn others who may end up with the same issue.

 

Hope your next room is much better!

[vacruizer]

i think you had every right to be upset. if you paid for a hotel room at a resort and it was loud and noisy it would be unacceptable. if i understand correctly... when you book guarantee, you book a cabin at the lowest cabin rate and you might get bumped up if a higher category is available. that doesn't mean there is a slight possibility of also getting stuck in a complete dump as well... okay... maybe that is a little bit of an exaggeration! but you get the drift. you still paid your fee and your cabin shouldn't be any less enjoyable than anyone else's b/c you booked guarantee. :)

 

I used to work in a hotel, and they have their bad rooms, too. :) Hotels are often at less than full occupancy giving a bit more option to move a guest. Cruise ships almost always sail at full occupancy. But if the hotel is booked at 100%, then chances are your response will be about the same as happened on this cruise - maybe some wine or strawberries sent to you with an apology letter or a comped meal or something like that.

 

If the hotel is full and the problem is something like noise from a bar or kitchen - there's not much they can do with no option to move a guest. And chances are if they are full, most other nearby hotels are too since a full house like that usually relates to a big convention or sporting event (hotels around here book up like that for VA Tech games or NASCAR weekend in Martinsville.)

Edited December 20, 2008 by vacruizer

[BrendaB1]

neatokimmo: I'm so sorry to read that there were some unfortunate issues with your cruise while staying in on of those forward rooms on Main deck. I've done 2216 (right across the hall) numerous times on Conquest class ships, and I totally know what you mean by those wave 'slaps' that shake the forward rooms. Can be annoying and frightening, I know, but it's due to that curve of the bow creating a angled surface to take a direct hit in rougher seas.

 

The other situation of the noise heard from the dancers is a case of really unfortunate timing for you. There is no way you could have been aware that a new cast of performers would have just arrived (their very first shows were on the 11/30 sailing) and would still be in daily rehearsals to learn the two additional shows they'd need to know for their contracted months. For that 11/30 sailing, they were rehearsing at bizarre times, including the wee morning hours. That learning curve will soon be over, so the passengers on those cabins won't have the same unfortunate experience you did, or as often as you did. There is an entertainment elevator in that area between 2218 and 2219, and the dancers use it when leaving or entering the theatre from the audience doors (i.e. the parade from the Mardi Gras show "The Big Easy"). So some of that running you heard might not have been totally from above you, but literally right outside your cabin.

 

I'm glad to read that the purser office did try to do something for you, since I found that particular group of crew member to be quite foolish during my recent sailing.

 

I was in 2208, second from the front, on Nov 30th sailing. And yes, wave noise was bad but I never heard anything from the show lounge, day or night. :confused:

I actually thought the Purser Staff was above average on that cruise compared to others I have seen. Of course I had to change my S&S card five times so maybe that was why.

[UpstateCruizer]

Cabins do open up albeit not under the best of circumstances. Since this was early on, there could be those that are unhappy invoking their vacation gurantee which could have opened a cabin. A medical emergency could open up a cabin as well. While those instances are rare I would think they may have been the reason you were told "if a cabin becomes available". I could not function with sleep depravation and would have needed many bottles of champagne to knock me out nightly lol A tired cranky child is no fun either. Here's hoping your next cruise is quiet, relaxing and full of rest :)

[Javajoni]

I had an inside cabin on the Fascination. Every morning at around 5 AM that ship would shudder and rumble so bad that it would scare us awake. The stabelizer wasn't working well from Miami to the Bahamas, we did quite a bit of rocking. All in all, we still had a blast!